Rhode Island Continues to Lead in U.S. Offshore Wind Development
Rhode Island On The Rise
The latest news in business and commerce from the Ocean State
With restrictions being eased across the country, businesses are beginning to bounce back and plan for the future ahead. Whether you are looking to relocate or expand your operations, our team at Rhode Island Commerce is here to answer your questions and connect you to our extensive network of innovators and entrepreneurs. Let’s start a conversation today.
Rhode Island Continues to Lead in U.S. Offshore Wind Development
Rhode Island’s leadership in the offshore wind industry took another major step forward as joint-venture partners Orsted and Eversource announced they are taking the first steps toward transforming ProvPort, located in the state capital, into a regional offshore wind hub.
Wavemaker Fellowship Program Re-Opens Applications Paving the Way for STEM Talent to Remain in RI
Photo credit: James Jones
Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Commerce announced the re-opening of applications for the Wavemaker Fellowship program, a competitive student loan reimbursement program for recent graduates working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and certain design fields.
The program awards graduates working in Rhode Island with a refundable tax credit that can cover student loan payments up to $6,000 per year for up to four years. More information, including the application, is available at wavemaker.commerceri.com.
Merger for Integrated Academic Health System Positions the State to Attract Health-Focused Companies
With recently signed agreements to create an integrated system — a merger of the state’s two largest health care systems, Lifespan and Care New England, and a partnership with Brown University and its Warren Alpert Medical School — the vision to create a healthier Rhode Island and academic health system are closer to becoming a reality.
Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) Providence Ranks Among the Best for Entrepreneurs and Startups
The CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) is a global leader in building and operating innovation communities. When you plug into the CIC’s Downtown Providence location, you immediately connect to a vast network of collaborators and Rhode Islanders dedicated to helping you. Click below to learn more about the current coworking spaces, private offices, and resources available to innovators and entrepreneurs looking to grow their ideas and businesses.
Mearthane Products Corporation (MPC) is a global technology leader in the development and manufacture of advanced polyurethane components. With over 50 years of formulation and processing experience, they partner with customers to develop innovative solutions to the toughest material challenges. Company products are made in the USA and shipped to equipment manufacturers all over the world for industry use such as fitness & recreation, food processing, medical devices, military & defense, and paper & media handling applications. MPC has over 100 employees in 3 locations in Rhode Island and Virginia, with most of the employees based in Rhode Island.
MPC has received two Innovation Vouchers courtesy of the RI Commerce. One of the projects used the Manufacturing Innovation Voucher to develop and implement a new, innovative process for manufacturing molded components to support its growing sports and recreation market. This allowed MPC to expand its in-line wheel product line, shorten lead times and generate cost savings. The project also added a highly-skilled job to MPC’s team. MPC continues to grow and expand, and has secured a Rebuild RI credit to relocate its Virginia operations to Rhode Island. When completed, this will result in over $4M of new investment in our state and generate 15 new manufacturing and engineering jobs for Rhode Islanders.
